Golden Canyon – Narrow canyon of gold-colored rock formations. We hiked 3 miles to Red Cathedral and back, but you can make a route up to 8 miles with the network of trails in the area.

Badwater Basin – The lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level. Walk out into the salt flat.

Dante’s View – Probably the most spectacular viewpoint in the park. A 14-mile one-way drive leads to this point 5,500 vertical feet above Badwater Basin. Nearly the entirety of the valley is visible from here.

Tips: The park is huge, staying within the park at Stovepipe Wells or Furnace Creek saves transportation time compared to lodging in a nearby town. On a hot day, choose a high-elevation mountain hike for relief from the heat.

Next time: Go to the Racetrack in an off-road worthy vehicle. Visit Scotty’s Castle when it reopens from repairs in 2019. Visit Ubehebe Crater. Hike Telescope Peak, the highest point in the park.